Indonesian police pursue international narcotics kingpin in Malaysia
Makassar (ANTARA) - The Makassar City Police Narcotics Unit in South Sulawesi is pursuing an international narcotics kingpin following the seizure of over seven kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and seven suspects.
Makassar City Police Chief, Police Commissioner Arya Perdana stated on Sunday that one of the fugitives is an Indonesian national identified as PA, who is suspected to be operating from Malaysia alongside a foreign national named AK.
“It has been confirmed that AK, a foreign national from Malaysia, and PA, an Indonesian national residing in Malaysia, are involved. This is an international network,” Arya said.
He explained that the task force is collaborating with Interpol, Bareskrim Polri, and the South Sulawesi Provincial Police Narcotics Directorate to track the suspects still in Malaysia.
Arya stated that the smuggling of crystal methamphetamine was conducted via air transport, with the drugs hidden on couriers’ bodies at airports.
“The drugs are concealed on the body and transported through airports. Therefore, we are tightening surveillance to prevent further narcotics entering or leaving the country,” he added.
He also revealed that narcotics entering Indonesia from Malaysia often use unofficial sea routes through small, clandestine ports scattered across the archipelago.
According to him, Indonesia’s geographical condition of having thousands of islands poses challenges in monitoring drug trafficking routes.
In subsequent developments from January to May 2026, seven suspects from an inter-provincial network were apprehended. The route originated from Pekanbaru, Riau to Makassar, South Sulawesi, using sea and land routes. Over six kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, valued at approximately Rp12.1 billion, were seized.
The network’s supply comes from Malaysia by foreign nationals and Indonesians currently based there. The total seized evidence amounts to over 7.45 kilograms, valued at around Rp14.85 billion during the January-May 2026 operation.